Shape Tool

The Shape Tool draws a shape on the map.

To select the Shape Tool, do the following:

  1. View a map
  2. Then, do one of the following:
    • On the Tools menu, click Shape Tool.
    • Press E.
    • Click the Shape ToolShape Tool button on the Map toolbar.
  3. The cursor will change to Shape Tool cursor

Quick Reference

Action Result
Start drawing on a blank portion of the map Draw a new shape
Start drawing at an end of an existing shape Extend the existing shape
Start drawing in the middle of an existing shape Add a spur to the existing shape

Click Add a single point to the shape (draw straight lines)
Drag Add points (draw curves)

Hold down the Alt key Erase a portion of the shape

Double-click Finish drawing the shape and open Edit Shape dialog
Press Enter Finish drawing the shape and open Edit Shape dialog
Hold down the Shift key and double-click Finish drawing the shape without showing the Edit Shape dialog
Press Esc Finish drawing the shape without showing the Edit Shape dialog

Hold down the Ctrl key Quickly switch to the Move Map Tool
Right-click Show the Shortcut Menu

Drawing a new shape

To draw a new shape, do the following:

  1. Position the Shape Tool over a blank portion of the map. The cursor will change to Shape Tool - Draw New Shape cursor
  2. Click or drag the mouse to begin drawing. The cursor will change to Shape Tool - Drawing Shape cursor

A new shape will be created. When you finish drawing the shape, the Edit Shape Dialog will appear so you can label the shape.

Extending an existing shape from one of its ends

To extend an existing shape, do the following:

  1. Position the Shape Tool over either end of an existing shape. The cursor will change to Shape Tool - Extend Shape cursor
  2. Click or drag the mouse to begin drawing. The cursor will change to Shape Tool - Drawing Shape cursor

If you began drawing at the beginning of the existing shape, it will be reversed.

As you draw, points will be added to the end of the shape.

Adding a spur

To add a spur or branch to an existing shape, do the following:

  1. Position the Shape Tool over a point on the existing shape. The cursor will change to Shape Tool - Draw Shape Branch cursor
  2. Click or drag the mouse to begin drawing. The cursor will change to Shape Tool - Drawing Shape cursor

As you draw, points will be added to the end of the new spur. You can use this feature to draw a stream with several branches, and treat it as a single item in ExpertGPS.

Adding a single point (drawing straight lines)

To add a single point to the shape, click and release the left mouse button.

A single point will be added to the shape. Use this method to draw straight lines.

Adding multiple points (drawing curved shapes)

To draw a curved shape, do the following:

  1. Hold down the left mouse button to begin drawing.
  2. Drag the mouse to create points along the path.
  3. Release the mouse button to stop drawing.

Erasing a portion of the shape

To erase the portion of the shape that you just drew, do the following:

  1. Hold down the Alt key. The cursor will change to the Shape Eraser. Shape Tool - Erase Shape cursor
  2. Position the Shape Eraser over the end of the shape. The cursor will change to Shape Tool - Erase Shape cursor
  3. Drag the mouse back over the recently-drawn shape to select points to erase. The selected points will be highlighted in purple.
  4. To erase the selected portion of the shape, do the following:
    1. Make sure that the Shape Eraser is currently over the shape, and that the cursor is Shape Tool - Erase Shape cursor
    2. Release the mouse button.
  5. To cancel the selection without erasing, do the following:
    1. Position the Shape Eraser so that it is no longer over the shape. The cursor will change to Shape Tool - Erase Shape cursor
    2. Release the mouse button.

Finishing the shape and opening the Edit Shape dialog

To finish drawing the shape, do one of the following:

  • Double-click.
  • Press Enter.

The Edit Shape dialog will appear.

Finishing the shape without opening the Edit Shape dialog

To finish drawing the shape, do one of the following:

  • Hold down the Shift key and double-click.
  • Press Esc.
  • Click the right mouse button.

Quickly switching to the Move Map Tool

ExpertGPS is mapping and file conversion software for your Garmin GPS
ExpertGPS is mapping and file conversion software for your Magellan GPS
ExpertGPS is mapping and file conversion software for your Lowrance GPS
ExpertGPS works with hundreds of GPS receivers, including all Garmin Drive, nüvi, eTrex, Colorado, Dakota, echoMAP, GPSMAP, Edge, Forerunner, Montana, Oregon, and Rino models, Magellan eXplorist GPS receivers, and Lowrance HDS, Elite, and HOOK GPS chartplotters and fishfinders. Download ExpertGPS
Find your GPS on the ExpertGPS compatibility list.

© 1998-2024 TopoGrafix – 24 Kirkland Dr, Stow, MA – Email: support@expertgps.com